Essential Classical

Essential Classical

Playlist • 55 tracks(s)

An introduction to classical music, featuring the best recordings of some of the most important works. This playlist is no longer being updated.

Leonard Bernstein & Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

Leonard Bernstein & Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

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Hilary Hahn, Margaret Batjer, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra & Jeffrey Kahane - J.S. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Vivace

Hilary Hahn, Margaret Batjer, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra & Jeffrey Kahane - J.S. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Vivace

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Maurizio Pollini & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": I. Adagio sostenuto

Maurizio Pollini & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": I. Adagio sostenuto

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan & Edvard Grieg - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood

Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan & Edvard Grieg - Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood

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London Symphony Orchestra - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

London Symphony Orchestra - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

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Angela Gheorghiu, Romanian National Choir "Madrigal-Marin Constantin", London Philharmonic Orchestra & Ion Marin - Ave Maria, "Ellens Gesang III", D839

Angela Gheorghiu, Romanian National Choir "Madrigal-Marin Constantin", London Philharmonic Orchestra & Ion Marin - Ave Maria, "Ellens Gesang III", D839

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Dawn Upshaw, London Sinfonietta, David Zinman & Henryk Gorecki - Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: II. Lento e Largo - Tranquillissimo

Dawn Upshaw, London Sinfonietta, David Zinman & Henryk Gorecki - Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: II. Lento e Largo - Tranquillissimo

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Itzhak Perlman - Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 24 in A Minor

Itzhak Perlman - Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 24 in A Minor

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Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Sir Neville Marriner - Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves

Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Sir Neville Marriner - Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves

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Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, John Eliot Gardiner & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 - I. Allegro con brio

Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, John Eliot Gardiner & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 - I. Allegro con brio

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Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly & Gustav Mahler - Mahler: Suite aus den Orchesterwerken von J.S.Bach: Gavotte I, Gavotte ll

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly & Gustav Mahler - Mahler: Suite aus den Orchesterwerken von J.S.Bach: Gavotte I, Gavotte ll

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London Philharmonic Orchestra - Romance, Op. 11

London Philharmonic Orchestra - Romance, Op. 11

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Michael Tilson Thomas & Sergei Prokofiev - Romeo et Juliette, Op. 64 (Excerpts): No. 13, Danse des chevaliers

Michael Tilson Thomas & Sergei Prokofiev - Romeo et Juliette, Op. 64 (Excerpts): No. 13, Danse des chevaliers

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Yo-Yo Ma & Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude

Yo-Yo Ma & Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude

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London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Doráti & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Wellington's Victory or the Battle Symphony, Op. 91 - 2. Symphony of Triumph

London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Doráti & Ludwig van Beethoven - Beethoven: Wellington's Victory or the Battle Symphony, Op. 91 - 2. Symphony of Triumph

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Leonard Bernstein & Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto - Sehr langsam

Leonard Bernstein & Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto - Sehr langsam

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Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner & George Frideric Handel - Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act III: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner & George Frideric Handel - Handel: Solomon, HWV 67, Act III: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

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Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Eugen Jochum, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin & Carl Orff - Orff: Carmina Burana / Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: I. O Fortuna

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Eugen Jochum, Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin & Carl Orff - Orff: Carmina Burana / Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: I. O Fortuna

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Alison Bury & Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: I. —

Alison Bury & Johann Sebastian Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: I. —

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James Levine - Cavalleria rusticana: Act I: Intermezzo sinfonico

James Levine - Cavalleria rusticana: Act I: Intermezzo sinfonico

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London Classical Players, Sir Roger Norrington & Joseph Haydn - Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 "London": IV. Finale. Spiritoso

London Classical Players, Sir Roger Norrington & Joseph Haydn - Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. I:104 "London": IV. Finale. Spiritoso

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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra & Gustav Holst - The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra & Gustav Holst - The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

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The Choir of Westminster Abbey, Simon Preston & Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli: Kyrie

The Choir of Westminster Abbey, Simon Preston & Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli: Kyrie

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Sylvia McNair, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, John Birch & Sir Neville Marriner - Fauré: Requiem in D Minor, Op. 48: IV. Pie Jesu

Sylvia McNair, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, John Birch & Sir Neville Marriner - Fauré: Requiem in D Minor, Op. 48: IV. Pie Jesu

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Garrick Ohlsson/Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Maksymiuk & Frédéric Chopin - Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21: II. Larghetto

Garrick Ohlsson/Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Maksymiuk & Frédéric Chopin - Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21: II. Larghetto

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André Rieu & The Vienna Strauss Orchestra - An der schonen blauen Donau, Waltz

André Rieu & The Vienna Strauss Orchestra - An der schonen blauen Donau, Waltz

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Wilhelm Kempff & Johann Sebastian Bach - J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria da Capo

Wilhelm Kempff & Johann Sebastian Bach - J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Aria da Capo

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Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez, & Igor Stravinsky - Stravinsky: Concerto in E-Flat "Dumbarton Oaks", K60: II. Allegretto

Ensemble Intercontemporain, Pierre Boulez, & Igor Stravinsky - Stravinsky: Concerto in E-Flat "Dumbarton Oaks", K60: II. Allegretto

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Richard Kapp, Philharmonia Virtuosi & Mela Tenenbaum - III. Allegro

Richard Kapp, Philharmonia Virtuosi & Mela Tenenbaum - III. Allegro

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London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev & Sergei Prokofiev - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D, Op. 25 "Classical Symphony": 1. Allegro

London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev & Sergei Prokofiev - Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D, Op. 25 "Classical Symphony": 1. Allegro

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Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino & Zubin Mehta - Puccini: Turandot / Act 3: Turandot: Nessum Dorma (Live)

Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino & Zubin Mehta - Puccini: Turandot / Act 3: Turandot: Nessum Dorma (Live)

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Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald Moore & Franz Schubert - Schubert: Erlkönig, Op. 1, D. 328: Wer reitet so spät

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald Moore & Franz Schubert - Schubert: Erlkönig, Op. 1, D. 328: Wer reitet so spät

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Nash Ensemble & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Mozart: Horn Quintet in E-Flat Major, K. 407/386c: III. Rondo (Allegro)

Nash Ensemble & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Mozart: Horn Quintet in E-Flat Major, K. 407/386c: III. Rondo (Allegro)

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Hans Rosbaud & Jean Sibelius - Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11: 2. Ballade (Tempo di menuetto)

Berliner Philharmoniker, Hans Rosbaud & Jean Sibelius - Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11: 2. Ballade (Tempo di menuetto)

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Anne-Sophie Mutter & Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042: I. Allegro

Anne-Sophie Mutter & Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042: I. Allegro

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St. John's College Choir, Cambridge - Song for Athene

St. John's College Choir, Cambridge - Song for Athene

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Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti & Richard Wagner - Wagner: Die Walküre, WWV 86B - Concert version / Dritter Aufzug: The Ride of the Valkyries

Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti & Richard Wagner - Wagner: Die Walküre, WWV 86B - Concert version / Dritter Aufzug: The Ride of the Valkyries

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Leopold Stokowski, Erich Gruenberg & Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade, Op. 35: I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship

Leopold Stokowski, Erich Gruenberg & Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade, Op. 35: I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship

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Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Lamentations of Jeremiah, First Lesson: Incipit. "Incipit lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae"

Choir of King's College, Cambridge - Lamentations of Jeremiah, First Lesson: Incipit. "Incipit lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae"

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Emerson String Quartet & Franz Schubert - Schubert: String Quartet No. 12 In C Minor, D. 703 "Quartettsatz" - Andante - Allegro assai

Emerson String Quartet & Franz Schubert - Schubert: String Quartet No. 12 In C Minor, D. 703 "Quartettsatz" - Andante - Allegro assai

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Yehudi Menuhin & Béla Bartók - Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117: IV. Presto

Yehudi Menuhin & Béla Bartók - Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117: IV. Presto

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Sir Simon Rattle - Adams: Two Fanfares for Orchestra: II. Short Ride in a Fast Machine

Sir Simon Rattle - Adams: Two Fanfares for Orchestra: II. Short Ride in a Fast Machine

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Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro

Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro

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Boston Camerata - Messe de minuit pour Noël, H. 9: I. Kyrie

Boston Camerata - Messe de minuit pour Noël, H. 9: I. Kyrie

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Nova Schola Gregoriana - Versus Alleluiatici: Laudate Deum

Nova Schola Gregoriana - Versus Alleluiatici: Laudate Deum

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Roger Norrington & Henry Purcell - The Fairy Queen, Z. 629, Act 4: Symphony

Roger Norrington & Henry Purcell - The Fairy Queen, Z. 629, Act 4: Symphony

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Eugene Ormandy - Pini Di Roma (Pinien Von Rom): I pini della Via Appia

Eugene Ormandy - Pini Di Roma (Pinien Von Rom): I pini della Via Appia

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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, & Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: V. Songe d’une nuit de sabbat

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras, & Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: V. Songe d’une nuit de sabbat

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Jacqueline du Pré, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli & Edward Elgar - Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: III. Adagio

Jacqueline du Pré, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli & Edward Elgar - Elgar: Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: III. Adagio

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Herbert von Karajan, Orchestre philharmonique de Vienne - Ouverture

Herbert von Karajan, Orchestre philharmonique de Vienne - Ouverture

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Rolf Lislevand Ensemble - Traditional: Ciaccona

Rolf Lislevand Ensemble - Traditional: Ciaccona

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Otto Klemperer, Philharmonia Orchestra & Ludwig van Beethoven - The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43: Overture

Otto Klemperer, Philharmonia Orchestra & Ludwig van Beethoven - The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43: Overture

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Aaron Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man

Aaron Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man

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The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock & George Frideric Handel - Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks: Suite HWV 351 - IV. La Réjouissance

The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock & George Frideric Handel - Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks: Suite HWV 351 - IV. La Réjouissance

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BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä & Carl Nielsen - Symphony No. 3, Op. 27, FS 60, CNW 27 "Sinfonia espansiva": II. Andante pastorale

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä & Carl Nielsen - Symphony No. 3, Op. 27, FS 60, CNW 27 "Sinfonia espansiva": II. Andante pastorale

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